(CNN) - It was a weeklong trip that drew blanket media coverage and sharp criticism from Republicans, but Barack Obama's recent tour abroad did little to alter the standing of the presidential race, a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows.

According to the survey - the first national poll conducted entirely after the Democratic presidential candidate's trip to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Europe - the race for the White House has remained virtually unchanged since late June, with Obama holding a 51-44 percent edge over Sen. John McCain. In a similar poll conducted one month ago, Obama held a 5-point lead over the senator from Arizona , 50-45 percent.

The CNN poll of polls, an average of several recent national surveys, tells the same story - a single-digit lead for Obama (48-45 percent) that keeps McCain within easy striking distance of his Democratic rival with less than 100 days before voters weigh in at the polls.

The new survey also suggests the trip - carefully designed to burnish Obama's foreign policy credentials - did little to alter voters' perceptions of how the Illinois senator would handle national security issues.

"Did Obama's trip help his standing with the public on foreign policy issues? Not really," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said. "Obama has not picked up any ground against McCain on foreign issues and some 52 percent think McCain would do a better job than Obama on the war in Iraq - virtually the same number who felt that way in April."

The poll also shows the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has an edge on terrorism, Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East - in fact, every foreign policy and national security issue addressed tilts toward McCain. (Terrorism, Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East, Iran, and Immigration.)

But in what is good news for Obama, the poll suggests few of the McCain campaign's criticisms of the trip have stuck - especially charges Obama was presumptuously acting as if he had already won the election, and claims he nixed a visit with injured troops because members of the media could not accompany him.

Instead, more than two-thirds of voters surveyed said the trip was appropriate for a presidential candidate, and 72 percent think Obama cares abut veterans and the troops currently in Iraq.

soundoff(429 Responses)

All the trip proved is that he is willing to give a speech (which we already knew because he never shuts up)

July 30, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

TOM

i would like to see a poll of how many people, pay attention to polls, and if there vote. is influinced by them

July 30, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

v

if you dnt vote john mccain than the soldiers who died will die in vain because mccain way or no way..mccains attempt to court soldeir votes..mccain defines the surge a success because of the level of security and increased american combatives in middle east toward terorism.. Yet it not a success because any country economy is not balanced nor is the new government taken its role to bringsing stabilty in the region...john mccain judgment in his support with a wreckelss administration and closeness of this war with administration should not be overlooked nor distracted from

July 30, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

Citizen Ruth

John McCain is a lousy candidate and Barack Obama has so much potential. Hw this race plays out is anyone's guess. America being as it is, may just succeed in destroying its best hope for a timely shift toward the generation who should be leading us. McCain is not what we need but I wouldn't be surprised if he got elected. If so, I may consider an extended trip to Canada.........

July 30, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

MsCiara

This just in McCain has a new ad blaming Barack for Global warming and the high rate of cancer in America !!! and for the arguing between the ladies on "The View"..

July 30, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

tony

I think most people have made up their minds who to vote for so you're not going to see much changing of minds by anything either candidate does or says. But I do think the Obama trip to Germany was meant to make him look more like John Kennedy and less then the John Kerry clone he is looking more and more to be. I must say to me his trip did look like he was already elected, and in spite of the witty quips of the Obama supporters, they know McCain has been left for dead many times, so any victory lap by their candidate is a bit premature, and if he(Obama) loses it won’t be because Americans are racist it will be because he is a party hack in a well pressed suit.

July 30, 2008 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

v

if you dnt vote john mccain than the soldiers who died will die in vain because mccain way or no way..mccains attempt to court soldeir votes..mccain defines the surge a success because of the level of security and increased american combatives in middle east toward terorism.. Yet it not a success because any country economy is not balanced nor is the new government taken its role to bringsing stabilty in the region...john mccain judgment in his support with a wreckelss administration and closeness of this war with administration should not be overlooked nor distracted from

July 30, 2008 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Ron democrat turned independent

obama can't even fill his suit properly (whats with the padded shoulders and shirt collars that are to big) how is he going to fill the shoes of a president. even Bush looks good in his clothes obama looks like a poor relative who had to borrow a suit.

July 30, 2008 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

v

if you dnt vote john mccain than the soldiers who died will die in vain because mccain way or no way..mccains attempt to court soldeir votes..mccain defines the surge a success because of the level of security and increased american combatives in middle east toward terorism.. Yet it not a success because any country economy is not balanced nor is the new government taken its role to bringsing stabilty in the region...john mccain judgment in his support with a wreckelss administration and closeness of this war with administration should not be overlooked nor distracted from

July 30, 2008 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Nate

It's freightening really. You have a man who has the ability to change our standing in the world, who can reach across the ocean and influence the people of the world and all these people can say is he's arrogant and presumptive. It's scary that McCain can suggest that he's is naive and doesn't understand the world when now McCain has adopted his idea that we need to withdraw troops from Iraq- and people are concerned about Obama's cancelled trip to the troops in Germany. It's also troubling that people fail to recognize that Obama shares the experiences of average Americans growing up because of his name.

Don't get me wrong I don't believe Obama's the messiah, but compared to McCain and what he can do for this country it's not even close.

If you want an example of arrogance how about boasting that you "know how to win wars." This coming from a POW who never led or commanded any troops and has no war victory to boast about.

July 30, 2008 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

Texun

McCain's latest ad blames Obama for the California earthquake and for global warming. As the New York Times editorial observed today, McCain has restaffed his operation with former subordinates of Karl Rove, hence the strongly negative attack stance he has been taking. Here's more evidence that McCain would be McBush! He has the same handlers.

July 30, 2008 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

Raymond Duke

If anything I would say that this trip hurt him. I know it did with me and my family members. Especially when he said people of the world now is our time. Throw in his pandering and acting showing what a phoney he really is. Lost him 5 votes in this house.

July 30, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

Leslie, MA.

Well, he went on his presidential trip and guess what? He still couldn't say anything but hope and unity. I'm getting tired of his words with no substance. Seems the rest of the world feels the same.
pity................

July 30, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

Ron democrat turned independent

will obama please explain why his views on christmas and birthdays are the same as muslims. re the people's magazine interview

July 30, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

Sacto Joe

"Oil rose more than $4 a barrel on Wednesday after U.S. government data showed an unexpected drop in gasoline stocks as suppliers facing weak consumer demand cut production and imports."

Well, there it is, folks. We slow down and drive less, the inventory of gasoline increases, prices drop, and the refineries cut production. That in turn bumps the price of oil, which in turn will drive prices up.

WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE??! And where are the Republicans who should be investigating this blatant price manipulation? Oh, that's right: They, and McCain, are in the pockets of the oil barons.

July 30, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

Doris,Memphis,TN

Oh yes it did! The trip showed Americans what a great President
Obama would be and how he loved around the world. It also made
John McCain, Tucker Bounds,and Carly a "Campaign of Whiners".

July 30, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

Realistic

If Obama wins, it will be Obama, Michelle, Pulosi, and Reed running our wonderful country. If this isn't the most horrific scenario for leadership of our great U.S.A. I can't imagine anything worse! His trip was a pathetic joke! See Real Clear Politics-he's only 2 points ahead now. In November it will be McCain by a huge landslide!

July 30, 2008 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |

E.C.Coleman

HA! HA! HA! Of course the trip didn't change Obama's ARROGANCE! He's such an Egotist, and so Self-Centered that Voters are Finally Realizing that Barck Hussein Obama is all talk, pie in the sky, and totally unqualified to be in the campaign. All Obama did on his trip was make a fool of himself and show his total inexperience to the World! That the selfish jerk didn't take the time or make the time to visit the troops in the hospital on his trip is unforgiveable.

July 30, 2008 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |

Chris

IT's a SEVEN POINT LEAD and Obama is over 50 % and that's your headline CNN????

July 30, 2008 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |

lupercal

John Mccain. All Surge, All the Time(Horizon).

by the way did anyone see bob dole's ad with britney spears back in 96? look it up on youtube. apparently, john mccain is obssessed about britney as well. um. interesting. Apparently, she gives him a surge.

July 30, 2008 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

Down with Obama

Duh!!! Empty suit...is an empty suit. Doesn't matter where Obama is....Obama is still an empty suit!!!

July 30, 2008 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

McCain is still Running?

Nothing changed, Obama is still comfortably in the lead and the obvious choice and McCain and his blind following are clueless

July 30, 2008 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |

Shari, NY

This is because right now domestic matters are on the minds of most Americans. Economic pain is being felt so the immobility of the polls as regards this trip is not a surprise. Time will tell.

July 30, 2008 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

Veterans for Obama

Your right Obama cares for our Veterans and troops. Just look at his voting record compared to McShame's. The major Veterans groups give Barack a "B" rating and McShame a "D" rating! Please America don't vote for McCain! I was a Republican that is now an Independant, voting for Barack Obama!

July 30, 2008 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

Dayahka

Nothing much is going to change in the polls until after the Beijing Olympics and the conventions begin–and VP selections are made.